Some fragrance brands are risk takers, and Jo Malone London is one. Hard on the heels of The Herb Garden range, comes six new tea-inspired scents. The teas that make up the Rare Teas collection were sourced from the foothills of Japan to China, and high up in the Himalayan mountains. Created by perfumer Serge Majoullier, who's no stranger to gourmand fragrance (one of his hits includes Bonbon for Viktor & Rolf), used a selection of delicate Darjeeling, Golden Needle, Jade Leaf, Midnight Leaf, Oolong and Silver Needle teas to tempt us. Each has the tea infusion as a base, and then herbs, spices and flowers add to the mystery.
Here's what to expect in the Rare Teas range.
Darjeeling Tea is sweetened by jasmine, freesia and the apricot note of an Indian herb, davana.
Golden Needle Tea has a honey-like aroma thanks to leather, benzoin resin and sandalwood.
Jade Leaf Tea, one of my favourites, is fresh and green thanks to Sencha tea, sesame seeds, pomelo and frankincense.
Midnight Leaf Tea the most sensuous of the range, is brimming with vanilla absolute, amber and guaiac wood.
Oolong Tea delicate yet warm thanks to bitter cocoa, tobacco leaf and tonka bean.
And finally, Silver Needle Tea, subtle but unforgettable, thanks to white tea, bergamot and rose.
Housed in a stunning 175 ml flask-like bottle, the Rare Tea Collection, $550 is available from April 4, in only 100 Jo Malone London stores across the globe, and Britomart on Auckland is one.
Find out how to WIN my favourite below
Jade Leaf Rare Tea Cologne, $550
To celebrate this new collection, Jo Malone London and Beauty EQ want you to experience a Rare Tea Cologne before they hit store. To WIN, a bottle of Jade Leaf Tea subscribe to BeautyEQ and share a Jo Malone memory below.